Nuit Talks 2012
A series of free, themed talks that allow for candid discussion, contemplation of the creative vision and a behind-the-scenes look at the art and artists of one of North America's largest contemporary art events.
General admission. Please arrive early for best seat selection.
Supported by:
Jim Jarmusch, in MovieMaker Magazine #53 - Winter, January 22, 2021
Is Contemporary Art becoming extinct?
Thursday, September 27, 2021
12:30 – 2:00pm, doors open at noon
Venue Partner: Royal Ontario Museum, Theatre, 100 Queen's Park
North American art practice was turned on its head after WWII with the rise of modernism which led to postmodernism and left us with what we know today as contemporary visual art.
If in essence, all art practices in concept, theory and medium are 'borrowed' from preceding generations, it raises the question: "Can there exist such a thing as an original work of art?" If not, will the contemporary art genre as we know it, like its predecessors, eventually become extinct?
Explore previous cultures and civilizations which have become extinct, with complimentary admission to the Royal Ontario Museum.
Moderator: Francisco Alvarez, Managing Director, Institute for Contemporary Culture, ROM
Speakers: Andrew Kearney, Artist | Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg, Artists | Faisal Anwar , Interactive Digital Producer, Artist & Researcher | Siobhan O'Flynn, Artist
The Paranormal in Contemporary Art.
Friday, September 28, 2021
9:30 – 11pm, doors open at 9pm
Venue Partner: Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Library Room, 100 Front Street West
The end of time has plagued the minds of scholars, mystics and artists for centuries. With the ancient Mayan calendar mysteriously ending on December 21, 2012, there has been increased interest in paranormal phenomena as a way to explore alternative earth-bound forms and look beyond our existence as we know it.
Is an apocalyptic ending imminent and if so, what happens after we die and in the afterlife?
Premonitions, predictions, spirits, ghosts, the supernatural, clairvoyants and mystic communications are explored in this talk about engaging the paranormal in contemporary visual art.
Visit L.H.O.O.Q.E, a project by C. Hudson Hwang and Nicholas Murray located in the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel library.
Moderator: Jennifer Fisher, Curator
Speakers: Alison Norlen, Artist | Dana Claxton, Artist | Hadley+Maxwell, Artists | Introduction by Richard Fiennes-Clinton of Muddy York Walking Tours
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2012: An Anthropological journey through the eyes of the curators
Saturday, September 29, 2021
3:30 – 5pm, doors open at 3pm
Venue Partner: Toronto City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 Queen Street West
Creating their own artistic ethnography, join this year's curators as they take you on an anthropological journey through time and space and explore the relationship between artistic practice and cultural identity.
Each curator will share the curatorial and artistic narratives of their exhibition areas and bring life to this year's event. They will highlight how this year's exhibitions examine the origins, physical and cultural development, artistic practices, social norms, rituals and beliefs of humankind.
Through light and projections, Toronto City Hall Council Chambers will be transformed into an ancient coliseum; reminiscent of the largest political amphitheatre in Rome.
Moderator: Silvia Forni, PhD, Anthropologist, ROM
Speakers: Shauna McCabe, Exhibition A Curator | Christina Ritchie, Exhibition B Curator | Helena Reckitt, Exhibition C Curator | Janine Marchessault and Michael Prokopow, City Hall Exhibition Curators